General Operating Questions

[wedge40]

I've had my tractor for over 19 years and I'm just now starting to use 3rd gear.

I do pull things with a drawbar on the back, and prefer to lift the end off the ground just a little so it wont ding into the ground.

I have maxed out my FEL a few times as well. Like everyone else has said, listen to the tractor, it's going to complain when you're doing something it don't like. My hydraulic pump will squeal like crazy when I'm about to reach the limit. I'm firm believer of not just driving the tractor, but becoming one with it. Ya it sounds kind of zen like, but you should always listen and feel to what's happening.
Have fun..
Oh, no ones mentioned it yet, but we here on TBN like photos of other people doing things with their tractor.

Wedge

 

[roman]

With your loader, Load light - Carry low

 

[extrakt0r]

I cant thank everyone enough for the responses. Knowing the FEL has the pressure relief valve is excellent to know.

 

[KennK]

I guess my basic list includes:

-Use the drawbar to pull (I know others' opinions)
-Use the seatbelt ALL the time (you can't jump fast enough)
-Keep the ROPS up ALL the time (when moving)
-The garage door is lower than the ROPS (put a saw horse in front of the garage to remind you)
-If you're uncomfortable driving along a slope - don't - not worth rolling
-Don't use gasoline in a diesel engine (sigh)
-Don't over-rev the engine (the engine was fine, but the tachometer broke - expensive to replace)
-If heavy lifting with FEL, put it in 4WD, keep it real low, and have rear weight
-Don't ram anything - something will break
-No riders - especially in the FEL (it can be tempting)
-Let it warm up a bit (I idle for a minute or two, depending on outside temps)
-Let it cool down a bit (I idle for 60 seconds ... counting ... before shutting down)
-Grease FEL joints often
-Take the bucket off the FEL when not needed ... it stops the "bouncing" and is much easier than removing the FEL (I stow the pins in the bucket)
-Don't let kids in the area where you're working
-Teach kids NEVER to be behind the tractor - EVER!!!
-I added a RES-Q-ME seat belt cutter to my tractor key - so if I ever do roll and the belt sticks, I can get out (Emergency hammer, car escape tool, keychain rescue tool, auto escape tool, centerpunch - ResQMe by nov8)
-Brush off the big mesh radiator guard often, especially when when mowing brush (I put a soft horse brush in my little storage compartment)
-When mowing tall grass/light brush for 1st time, go slow, put the FEL low to "find" hidden objects
-The tractor cannot out-run a swarm of angry wasps no matter how much you wish it could
-Unintentional gate/fence post vs. FEL events usually end up with the FEL winning
-3PH implements are meant to be pulled rather than pushed. Take it real easy when driving backward with a rear blade
-You can only do so much to secure the tractor from theft - if someone wants it bad enough ... its gone
-Don't store the tractor with the key in it (if nothing else, for child safety)
-Don't leave the tractor running unattended (for child safety)
-Use all safety guards - and don't try to disable them
-Don't pile so much stuff on the FEL that you can't see where you're going (ask my little pine tree about that)
-If the tractor seems like it is struggling a bit to move ... the parking brake might be on!!!
-Just about everything is safer when done slower
-Consider wearing hearing protection when mowing or other long-term use
-No matter how much you like your tractor ... you still need to spend SOME time with your family
-A real man CAN wax his tractor

 

[TripleR]

I guess my basic list includes:

-Use the drawbar to pull (I know others' opinions)
-Use the seatbelt ALL the time (you can't jump fast enough)
-Keep the ROPS up ALL the time (when moving)
-The garage door is lower than the ROPS (put a saw horse in front of the garage to remind you)
-If you're uncomfortable driving along a slope - don't - not worth rolling
-Don't use gasoline in a diesel engine (sigh)
-Don't over-rev the engine (the engine was fine, but the tachometer broke - expensive to replace)
-If heavy lifting with FEL, put it in 4WD, keep it real low, and have rear weight
-Don't ram anything - something will break
-No riders - especially in the FEL (it can be tempting)
-Let it warm up a bit (I idle for a minute or two, depending on outside temps)
-Let it cool down a bit (I idle for 60 seconds ... counting ... before shutting down)
-Grease FEL joints often
-Take the bucket off the FEL when not needed ... it stops the "bouncing" and is much easier than removing the FEL (I stow the pins in the bucket)
-Don't let kids in the area where you're working
-Teach kids NEVER to be behind the tractor - EVER!!!
-I added a RES-Q-ME seat belt cutter to my tractor key - so if I ever do roll and the belt sticks, I can get out (Emergency hammer, car escape tool, keychain rescue tool, auto escape tool, centerpunch - ResQMe by nov8)
-Brush off the big mesh radiator guard often, especially when when mowing brush (I put a soft horse brush in my little storage compartment)
-When mowing tall grass/light brush for 1st time, go slow, put the FEL low to "find" hidden objects
-The tractor cannot out-run a swarm of angry wasps no matter how much you wish it could
-Unintentional gate/fence post vs. FEL events usually end up with the FEL winning
-3PH implements are meant to be pulled rather than pushed. Take it real easy when driving backward with a rear blade
-You can only do so much to secure the tractor from theft - if someone wants it bad enough ... its gone
-Don't store the tractor with the key in it (if nothing else, for child safety)
-Don't leave the tractor running unattended (for child safety)
-Use all safety guards - and don't try to disable them
-Don't pile so much stuff on the FEL that you can't see where you're going (ask my little pine tree about that)
-If the tractor seems like it is struggling a bit to move ... the parking brake might be on!!!
-Just about everything is safer when done slower
-Consider wearing hearing protection when mowing or other long-term use
-No matter how much you like your tractor ... you still need to spend SOME time with your family
-A real man CAN wax his tractor

Pretty good, comprehensive list; well maybe not the last one...:laughing::laughing::laughing: